140 replies to this topic

[citizen28]

Most other charitable organizations and churches make their budget information available to the people who donate money as well as the general public. I understand that believing Mormons trust church leaders to make inspired decisions about where tithing revenue goes, but if there is nothing to hide, why does the church not release at least a summary of its budget? I've seen it reported that public financial disclosure was church policy up until sometime in the 50's, so why did it change?











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[KevinG]

They aren't.  Anyone who needs budget information to run their organization, auxiliary or perform their calling has full access to that information.

Now if you are asking why a local member doesn't have access to the worldwide accounting records for the LDS Church that is a different question - that has been discussed ad nausea on this board.  Search financial records for more info.

[Bikeemikey]

I didnt know about the earlier period (up till the 1950s) when the church provided financials docs.

It is interesting that around the 1950s is when the church started to take on debt.

Perhaps that was part of the change in policy.


(null)

[bluebell]

In other countries such as England their financial statements are made public because that's the law.  If someone wanted to have an idea about how the church was managing its money, that might help.

As to why all of it isn't released, the church hasn't said.  I would guess that it has something to do with so many nonmembers and exmembers being obsessed with finding something wrong with everything the church does.  Just my opinion though.

[Kenngo1969]

God already has enough people telling Him how they think He should spend his money!  

[Tepui]

Figure it out yourself.
Why not try to sum up the square footage of each temple and chapel - in the world - then calculate - per square foot - how much it costs to heat and cool them (& other expenses).

There's no secret to that.

[KevinG]

Tepui, on 07 April 2012 - 07:54 PM, said:

Figure it out yourself.
Why not try to sum up the square footage of each temple and chapel - in the world - then calculate - per square foot - how much it costs to heat and cool them (& other expenses).

There's no secret to that.

...and toilet paper.  Don't forget toilet paper.

[Valentinus]

Can I please get an itemized report for my records and tax information? This isn't too much to ask...after all its just a receipt of where exactly my donations and tithes went.

[Mortal Man]

citizen28, on 07 April 2012 - 05:43 PM, said:

Most other charitable organizations and churches make their budget information available to the people who donate money as well as the general public. I understand that believing Mormons trust church leaders to make inspired decisions about where tithing revenue goes, but if there is nothing to hide, why does the church not release at least a summary of its budget? I've seen it reported that public financial disclosure was church policy up until sometime in the 50's, so why did it change?

Elder Eyring has made it known that the prophet receives revelations regarding the stock market. Such revelations are obviously very sacred. According to Elder Eyring, the church's financial holdings are a result of the prophet's obedience to the promptings of the spirit in this matter. To expose such revelations to the general public would be like casting pearls before swine.

Edited by Mortal Man, 07 April 2012 - 09:56 PM.

[Kenngo1969]

Mortal Man, on 07 April 2012 - 08:49 PM, said:

Elder Erying has made it known that the prophet receives revelations regarding the stock market. Such revelations are obviously very sacred. According to Elder Erying, the church's financial holdings are a result of the prophet's obedience to the promptings of the spirit in this matter. To expose such revelations to the general public would be like casting pearls before swine.

That's all well and good , but who's Elder Erying?

[Kenngo1969]

Valentinus, on 07 April 2012 - 07:59 PM, said:

Can I please get an itemized report for my records and tax information? This isn't too much to ask...after all its just a receipt of where exactly my donations and tithes went.

Is the end-of-year receipt you received, which was signed by your bishop, insufficient for any reason?

[Kenngo1969]

KevinG, on 07 April 2012 - 07:59 PM, said:

...and toilet paper.  Don't forget toilet paper.

If the Church splurges on Charmin, I'm gonna be royally ticked!  I don't think that's the best possible use of my tithing dollars!

[Sleeper Cell]

Valentinus, on 07 April 2012 - 07:59 PM, said:

Can I please get an itemized report for my records and tax information? This isn't too much to ask...after all its just a receipt of where exactly my donations and tithes went.

According to the itemized reports I have, the church spent all of my tithing and donations to help the poor.  It spent all of yours to help build the City Creek Mall.

[Duncan]

Mortal Man, on 07 April 2012 - 08:49 PM, said:

Elder Erying has made it known that the prophet receives revelations regarding the stock market. Such revelations are obviously very sacred. According to Elder Erying, the church's financial holdings are a result of the prophet's obedience to the promptings of the spirit in this matter. To expose such revelations to the general public would be like casting pearls before swine.

looks like Pres. Hinckley may have let the proverbial cat...meeooowww... out of the bag in 1998 in GC no less!
http://www.ldschurch...ther-ahead.html

[KevinG]

Valentinus, on 07 April 2012 - 07:59 PM, said:

Can I please get an itemized report for my records and tax information? This isn't too much to ask...after all its just a receipt of where exactly my donations and tithes went.

Do you ask that of Goodwill or other organizations you give to?

[KevinG]

Kenngo1969, on 07 April 2012 - 09:11 PM, said:

If the Church splurges on Charmin, I'm gonna be royally ticked!  I don't think that's the best possible use of my tithing dollars!

I have received food orders from the storehouse that included toilet paper.  Do not fear.  It is not the good stuff.  

[Thinking]

KevinG, on 07 April 2012 - 10:13 PM, said:

Do you ask that of Goodwill or other organizations you give to?

Goodwill provides it to anybody.

http://www.goodwill....us/our-mission/

[Storm Rider]

citizen28, on 07 April 2012 - 05:43 PM, said:

Most other charitable organizations and churches make their budget information available to the people who donate money as well as the general public. I understand that believing Mormons trust church leaders to make inspired decisions about where tithing revenue goes, but if there is nothing to hide, why does the church not release at least a summary of its budget? I've seen it reported that public financial disclosure was church policy up until sometime in the 50's, so why did it change?

Which church organizations do this?

Alternatively, the Church hides it because we use it to buy virgins throughout the world and bring them to Salt Lake City serve as polygamous wives to the General Authorities.  Also, we use the money to promote good dental hygiene in England where dentists are almost non-existent.  Finally, we roll up the tithing funds and burn them while we see starving people throughout the world.  I cannot imagine anything else, but if there was, it simply is not for the world to see.  The Church exists for one single purpose; to focus the efforts of the saints on personal exaltation and helping others learn of the gospel of jesus Christ.

[cinepro]

citizen28, on 07 April 2012 - 05:43 PM, said:

Most other charitable organizations and churches make their budget information available to the people who donate money as well as the general public. I understand that believing Mormons trust church leaders to make inspired decisions about where tithing revenue goes, but if there is nothing to hide, why does the church not release at least a summary of its budget? I've seen it reported that public financial disclosure was church policy up until sometime in the 50's, so why did it change?

I wish there was a good answer to your question.  There are lots of theories and guesses, but ultimately we just don't know.  I've never quite understood the assurance (and insistence) that even though the information is hidden, there is nothing to hide.

I do admire the churches that make general financial information available to their members.  I think it shows an admirable attitude towards the donations, and respect for the church members.

But I suspect we'll never see the Church make anything public unless the government makes them (e.g. England).  People who have become accustomed to their privacy usually don't give it up willingly.

[cinepro]

Storm Rider, on 07 April 2012 - 10:31 PM, said:

Which church organizations do this?

The Seventh Day Adventists:

http://www.adventist...ures/index.html

The Southern Baptists have pretty comphrensive reporting for each year here:

http://www.sbcec.net...011/default.asp

Here's the Presbyterians:

http://www.pcusa.org...d-expenditures/

And the Lutherans:

http://www.elca.org/...al-Reports.aspx



Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientistis and Scientologists don't appear to share it.